Shi Mei was abruptly woken up in the middle of the night by a noisy and familiar sound.
The sound of "whooshing" was particularly jarring in the quiet night of the mountain village.
It was the sound of a helicopter’s propellers.
There indeed was a clearing near the village that could accommodate a helicopter, used by villagers to dry crops,
but why would a helicopter land nearby in the middle of the night?
Shi Mei perked up her ears and heard a few speculative whispers but nothing else unusual.
Overwhelmed by waves of sleepiness, Shi Mei was too lazy to care about what was happening around her and fell back asleep with her eyes closed.
The next day, everyone needed to start packing and relocate.
Shi Mei got up early, packed her things, and slung her guitar and other belongings over her shoulder.
Stepping outside, she noticed that the contestants, who had been eager to appear in front of cameras the past few days, were nowhere to be seen.
The area was deserted, a stark contrast to usual.
Curious, Shi Mei walked over to the program’s arranged bus and found the girls huddled together, excitedly discussing something.
Mu Nanke spotted Shi Mei from afar and immediately ran towards her, but before she got close, a cheer erupted from the girls, and they dispersed.
Shi Mei then looked where they had been staring and saw the village chief nodding and bowing excitedly, while a young man was receiving his obsequious attentions.
This young man was tall and wore a black cashmere stand-collar coat, with a dark gray scarf looped around his neck and his light honey-skinned complexion stood out among the group of villagers.
His custom-made black lambskin shoes stepped steadily on the soft earth.
He seemed to notice the gazes of the girls ahead and finally turned his head, his dark and profound eyes, as vast and substantial as the earth beside him, revealing a poised composure that commanded attention.
He seemed to be searching for something in the crowd, and finally, his gaze, as if drawn by something, settled firmly on Senior Sister.
Shi Mei, feeling threatened, reflexively turned and hurried away, muttering under her breath, "He just won’t go away."
It could be said that everyone’s attention at the scene was on Shi Lingyan.
Upon realizing where Shi Lingyan’s gaze was directed, all eyes then turned to Shi Mei.
Noticing this, Tang Gu, who had been overjoyed at the sight of the young man, felt her mood sink.
Ma Jiaojiao, perceiving Tang Gu’s mood, disdainfully said, "He’s just an ugly monster, what’s there to look at?"
Yet, Senior Sister, as if she had seen some fierce ghost or beast, immediately jumped onto the bus as if fleeing a disaster.
Shi Lingyan quickly withdrew his gaze, and the village chief rubbed his hands, his voice fluctuating as he said, "Mr. Shi, rest assured, the children in our village are all very smart; they will never forget your kindness in nurturing them!"
His accent was somewhat comical, but the excitement on his face was unmistakable.
Shi Lingyan quickly nodded and continued to discuss serious matters.
The crew quickly ushered everyone on the bus, and it was only with reluctance that the girls withdrew their gazes from him.
Once on the bus, discussions still buzzed, "Mr. Shi is really too kind, even willing to to schools in such places."